Salem, Ore. - A group of Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers headquartered in LaGrande, Ore., are returning to Oregon, Sept. 7, after serving in Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

Approximately 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade, Oregon Army National Guard, joined the approximately 2,700 members of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, from Boise, Idaho.
The group includes 35 Soldiers returning to Hermiston, Ore., 30 Soldiers returning to Pendleton, Ore., 16 Soldiers returning to Salem and Woodburn, Ore., and six Soldiers returning to La Grande, Ore. The buses transporting the Soldiers are scheduled to arrive at approximately noon. In addition, 52 Soldiers are scheduled to arrive at the Redmond, Ore., airport at approximately noon.

The soldiers from the Oregon battalion are located in armories in LaGrande, Baker City, Ontario, Hermiston, Pendleton, The Dalles, Hood River, Woodburn, and Redmond.

The unit previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005.
The 116 Cavalry Brigade Combat Team conducted force protection and convoy security missions in Iraq receiving more than 200 individual awards.